Texas History

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Texas History

Chapter 15

Section 1: The Annexation of Texas

Main Ideas • Support for annexation in the United States was divided over the issue of slavery. • Texas became a state in 1845.

Chapter 15

Main Idea 1: Support for annexation in the United States was divided over the issue of slavery.

The Impact of Slavery and Expansion on the Annexation Debate • Northerners feared that if Texas were annexed, slave states would gain control in Congress • Southerners wanted another slave state because economy depended on slave labor • Many Americans thought annexing Texas was a natural part of U.S. westward expansion

Texas History

Chapter 15

Main Idea 2: Texas became a state in 1845.

Events Leading to the Annexation of Texas • 1844 – U.S. Senate rejects Texas Annexation Treaty • l844 – Election of James K. Polk who approved U.S. annexation of Texas • February 1845 – U.S. Congress passes joint resolution for Texas annexation • October 1845 – Texas voters approve annexation • December 29, 1845 – President Polk signs Texas Admission Act

joint resolution – formal expression of intent. Texas Admission Act – act signed by President Polk making Texas the 28th state

Texas History

Chapter 15

Section 2: Forming a Government

Main Ideas • The Convention of 1845 created a new state constitution for Texas. • The state constitution set up a new government and established protections for citizens and the government.

Chapter 15

Main Idea 1: The Convention of 1845 created a new state constitution for Texas.

Constitution of 1845 and a New State Government • First chose delegates to the Convention of 1845 • United States, Republic of Texas, and Louisiana constitutions used as models • Constitution was ratified in October 1845

Chapter 15

Main Idea 2: The state constitution set up a new government and established protections for citizens and the government.

Steps Taken to Organize the New State Government • Held the convention of 1845 • Wrote and approved the Constitution of 1845 • Elected state officials including a governor • Turned over government operations to state officials • Turned over several military and public properties to the federal government • Chose two officials to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate

Texas History

Chapter 15

Section 3: Political and Economic Issues

Main Ideas • Political parties became active in Texas for the first time after annexation. • Texas used its public lands to pay of its remaining debt, to promote education, and to improve life.

Chapter 15

Main Idea 1: Political parties became active in Texas for the first time after annexation.

Positions of Political Parties and Texas Politics • Democratic Party – favored farmers and small businesses popular across South; supported Texas annexation; strong support • Whig Party – favored banking and large businesses; opposed Texas annexation; broke apart in mid 1850s over slavery; little support • Republican Party – formed by northern Whigs and others; opposed spread of slavery; little support • Know-Nothing Party – supported slavery; opposed immigrants and Catholics in government; faded in 1857; some support

Texas History

Chapter 15

Main Idea 2: Texas used its public lands to pay of its remaining debt, to promote education, and to improve life.

Early Governors of Texas • James Pinckney Henderson – 1845 • George T. Wood – 1847 • Peter H. Bell – 1849; 1851 • J.W. Henderson – 28 remaining days of Bell’s term • Elisha M. Pease – 1853; 1855 • Hardin Runnels – 1857 • Sam Houston – 1859

Paying the State’s Public Debt • Sold public land • Gave up claim to 67 million public acres to pay towards debt